Quisqualis

Family: Combretaceae
Common Name: Rangoon creeper

This genus comprises around 17 species of showy, vigorous climbers from the tropics, including Africa and Indo-Malaysia. They have entire, oblong to elliptical leaves which are borne on slender stems. The base of the leaf stalk remains after the leaf falls, hardening into a thorn-like hook which the plant uses to sup-port itself as it climbs. An abundance of white, tubular flowers, borne in terminal clusters, is produced in the summer and autumn. The flowers change colour as they age.

Species

Q. indica, Rangoon creeper, is the most commonly grown of the species. Shrubby when young, it reaches 9 on (30 ft) when it is fully grown. White, red and pink flowers may be borne together on the one plant. Flowers will emerge white but they age to pink or red. They are strongly fragrant, particularly so at night.

Cultivation

Outside the warm subtropics and tropics, grow the Rangoon creeper in a warm greenhouse or conservatory. Use soil-based potting compost. Provide maximum light, but shade the plant from direct strong sun. The plant should be kept only slightly moist in winter, but during the growing season must be watered normally. Liquid feed every four weeks in the summer. Provide supports for the stems. Prune in late winter to keep the plant within bounds and to remove any very old wood. Outdoors grow in well-drained soil and full sun. Propagate from seed sown in a heated propagating case, during spring. Alternatively, take softwood cuttings in spring, again rooting them in warmth, or layer a stem in spring. If suckers are produced, detach and pot at the start of the growing season.